Michael Harvey The Chicago Way

The Chicago Way

Michael Harvey

Knopf, Aug 2007, $23.95

ISBN: 9780307266866

Business was obviously booming for former cop turned private investigator as Michael Kelly was working on a critical list of the ten greatest moments in Chicago Cub history. However after a half hour he was still at numero uno as the greatest events in the history of his beloved team are in the future. Michael is saved from wasting anymore brain matter on the most cursed team in professional sports when his former partner, John Gibbons, arrives at his office.

Retired from the force for five years, John wants Michael to help him solve a South Chicago cold case from 1997 when he saw a man stabbing a woman. He handcuffed the silent man and opened the trunk of the culprit's vehicle where he found evidence that he killed others. The next day John learned the man is gone and Chief Belmont tells him to forget what he saw; he did and received a promotion.

Now that female victim from eight years ago is begging him for help. At 3:30 the next morning, TV news reporter Judy Bange wakes up Michael asking for a comment about John being murdered underneath the Navy Pier. The case has turned personal as Michael brings together a magnificent team; however a betrayal from within, danger from the local mob and an apparent serial killer with a streak of deaths to match the Cubs' years without a championship try to stop him.

This entertaining urban noir stars an interesting sleuth who follows the Cubs, philosophizes on the nature of an individual and reads Cicero. The investigation is cleverly devised so that the audience and Michael wonder what connects the attack and near murder that gave John his career boost to his death although at times has too many sidebar players appear ready to beat the crap out of the hero (then again it is a noir). Fans will enjoy this romp down the mean streets surrounding Wrigley Field.

Harriet Klausner